"Madam," said Simontault, "'tis a pity that I have not been proved, for
I see that through lack of knowledge you have already judged ill of me.
Yet I may well practise a Grey Friar's trade, since a Grey Friar has
meddled with mine."

"So you call it your trade," said Parlamente, "to deceive women? Thus
out of your mouth are you judged."

"Had I deceived a hundred thousand," said Simontault, "I should yet not
have avenged the woes that I have endured for the sake of one alone."

"I know," said Parlamente, "how often you complain of women; yet,
for all that, we see you so merry and hearty that it is impossible
to believe that you have endured all the woes you speak of. But the
'Compassionless Fair One' (3) replies that--

"'Tis as well to say as much
To draw some comfort thence.'"

3 _La belle Dame sans mercy_, by Alain Chartier.--Ed.

"You quote a truly notable theologian," said Simontault, "one who is
not only froward himself, but makes all the ladies so, who have read and
followed his teaching."

"Yet his teaching," said Parlamente, "is as profitable for youthful
dames as any that I know."

"If it were indeed true," said Simontault, "that the ladies were without
compassion, we might as well let our horses rest and our armour grow